Two Churches Award $52,500 To San Diego Nonprofits For Anti-Racism Work

San Diego CA

27 January, 2021

5:07 PM

Description

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego January 27, 2021 Two San Diego Methodist churches have jointly awarded 10 local nonprofits $52,500 to assist their work in anti-racist policy advocacy or providing direct services to people of color in San Diego County, it was announced Tuesday. First United Methodist Church of San Diego and St. Paul United Methodist Church, San Diego, awarded the grants to the nonprofits as part of a long-term commitment by the churches to anti-racist work throughout San Diego — which led to the establishment of their newly created Racial Justice Endowment. "The greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves," said Rev. Trudy Robinson, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church. "But given Christianity's past and continued participation in racism over the centuries, we have not loved all of our neighbors. Not by a long shot. However, we can seek repentance as we commit to a new way to be. For us, this Racial Justice Endowment is an important step in that direction." Inspired by local and national conversations about racial injustice, the churches jointly established the endowment in 2020 to assist organizations already engaged in anti-racist efforts in San Diego County. Donations have been received from both congregations and the broader community. "The tragic nature of racial injustice underscores the important work of these local organizations, who have been serving our community for years, if not decades," Robinson said. "It is our hope that others will join us by contributing to the endowment, which we created with St. Paul United Methodist Church to support efforts to dismantle systemic racism that unfairly limits opportunities for people of color throughout our region." The Racial Justice Endowment grantees are: Officials will announce the focus of the next grant cycle and open applications for it on April 1. — City News Service contributed to this article Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.